iopsychohmygerd

Also, anyone still hanging onto an offer from UCF, please notify them of your decision as soon as you know! I'm still hoping to make it off the waitlist, but they've told me that they probably won't know until the 15th or later. Please don't wait until the deadline if you already know what your decision will be... I would hate to accept my second choice offer, only to later get an offer from the school I want to attend most.

I absolutely understand your concerns! I really believe, however, that such events are usually isolated to singular individuals. Even when it comes out that the results of a study were faked, usually only one collaborator seems to be responsible. Unfortunately, results faking in psychology really is a rampant problem. In more than one paper and class, I've had to cite that article that explains exactly how a significant result can be obtained almost every time, for almost any study (even one that is completely invalid), by only slightly altering either the sample size, the methods of analyzing data, etc. However, I don't believe that one bad apple is an indicator that the bunch is bad, as well. Psychologists in any discipline that fake results are typically shunned by the community forever, and it doesn't tend to reflect on their cohorts, so take comfort in that! As you've said, there is no affiliation there (he's also not an I/O psychologist), so I wouldn't worry anyway. Thank you so much for clarifying. I'm guessing you have firsthand knowledge, and are in the program. Literally everyone I know in I/O is extremely hardworking and very ethically-minded. I am sure you, your cohorts, and your program is no exception.

Things definitely are hit and miss! It's difficult, given that you have no way to predict how stiff the competition will be each year. My best advice: really look into the specializations of faculty members at each university you apply to, and pick 1-3 that you'd really want to work with. I never picked less than 2 POI's at every school, so they would have a few options about my placement, if my top choice had already chosen someone. Email every single POI you'd like to work with, ideally weeks/a month or two before the deadline! Ask what they're researching, and learn as much as you can about it. Give them the chance to get to know you better. In your statements, when you're discussing how your research interests overlap, maybe even propose a few ideas for future research you'd be interested in doing. Really do your homework. Maybe even mention how you'd be interested in doing some secondary research with a few professors who you don't identify as your main POI's. I actually got one offer from a professor that I mentioned in that manner (Old Dominion, Human Factors). My GPA wasn't the highest (3.6), and my GRE quant score was also less than ideal (156), but I wound up with a number of offers, anyway. I really believe that through your personal statement and direct communication with faculty members, you can really set yourself apart and give yourself a solid advantage over your competitors, even if they may look better based on scores alone. Since such a large part is about fit with the program, try to forge those relationships and the impression that you will be a good fit as early on as you can! Apply to a range of schools - a few top schools, a few mid-range. Look at their admissions statistics both on the results section here, as well as on the SIOP and HFES graduate school databases. If you're still in your last year of school, earn straight A's and beef up your research experience. Try to work with a faculty member on your own research, and aim for publication. If nothing else, work on the projects of some graduate students, and try to get on projects relevant to I/O and HF. If nothing else, you'll learn more about whether or not you enjoy it. If you're on someone's project, try to get your name in there somewhere, and go to their poster presentations. All you can do is your best on your applications. You can't control the outcome, so don't sweat it too hard when offers roll around. What will be, will be. I'm sure you'll be fine! If you have any more specific questions, let me know! I also applied to both I/O and Human Factors programs, so I might be able to help.

I agree with IOhopeful. I think, from the outside looking in, it's easy to speculate when semi-related news comes out, especially when there's not a lot of information out there that is directly related to the question at hand. I don't think that considering the possibility that the two could be related is a totally unfounded connection to make, being that leadership literature is a huge part of I/O. It's also pretty common for I/O departments to collaborate with faculty in business departments. It seems like a valid question, to me, especially as someone who has no idea what's going on there, probably like most of the people who are discussing it. They're just trying to figure things out! Since, for the most part, everyone here is anonymous, I don't think anyone could have intended to offend anyone else. Even so, I don't believe anyone would want to! The people on this forum have been incredibly supportive towards each other's questions (even though we're also each other's competition!). We're all cool people. Let's stay cool.

Offered a fellowship with Old Dominion' human factors program, but I think I'm going to accept UMSL's offer to their I/O program instead, even though the funding is slightly less. Either today or tomorrow, I'm letting go of my offers at Auburn and Florida Tech. That should free up more funds for the people heading towards Florida, since I know they're offering partial tuition remission this year. Question for UCF people. What kind of funding were you offered there? I'm still on the waitlist, and I'd like to go if I get an offer since it's closer to my home, but I don't want to hold out if the funding isn't pretty solid. There just isn't a lot of information about the amount of funding they typically offer on the website. Thanks guys!

Has anyone heard back from SLU yet?

Me too! I'm starting to wonder if there's anyone that doesn't suffer from imposter syndrome (I often hear adults asking what a real "insert their profession" would do, so at least we're in good company). If I came across someone totally confident in their successes and abilities, I'd wonder if that's overconfidence, haha, so there's really no winning. But congratulations! Penn state is really one of the best of the best. I'm really glad you got in! Best of luck to everyone else as well!

Also, ask Dr. Steelman about the partial tuition remission for the program at FIT. That's how I found out about it. I also probably won't accept at FIT, since UMSL just offered me a full ride (and I'm still holding out for SLU), so I can only imagine that will increase the funding they can offer you. I'm still going to visit the university, though. If it really was just outstanding, I might consider it anyway.

Yes, the APA deadline is April 15th, and most schools (including FIT) abide by it. Melissa Jo, I'm guessing Dr. Fan. The email he sent me was a bit unclear about who I'd been matched with. Dr. Michel and Dr. Svyantek have both already taken students, though, so I assume Dr. Fan because he is all that's left. I guess it's possible they'd give Dr. Michel two students, though, since he's new (and who I named in my essay). And you?

I get the feeling Auburn is just casting a line out to their remaining top 3 (they've accepted 2) for that no funding slot and seeing if anyone takes the bait...

Also accepted to Auburn with no funding. Roebuck, they've been approved to offer partial tuition remission. I think they're waiting for their budget details to get worked out before they specify. So at least there's that! and nope, I'm driving down to visit on the 10th. I'll let you know how it goes.

Congrats! I'm still crossing my fingers, but I'm so excited for you and tanneraustin! UCF looks like its program is pretty great.

Just got an email with details about a formal offer from UMSL (accepted off of the waitlist). Visiting FIT on the 10th of this month, but as of right now, I'd probably choose SLU if they make me an offer. The visit was awesome. I honestly don't know how it escaped the list for program culture, etc. because it was top notch. Roebuck, are you leaning towards FIT or Roosevelt? are you going to visit FIT any time before you make your decision?

Waitlisted at UMSL yesterday. FIT also sent news that partial tuition remission would be given, but they are still working on the budget, so I don't know what the exact amount is as of yet. I also can't wait to hear ODU's offer... Their funding is apparently outrageously good. I'm still banking on SLU, UGA, Auburn, or one of the spots opening at UCF though. Let me know if anyone's not planning on taking their UCF offer!

Dr. Clark has also already selected her student. She just let me know a few hours ago via email. Just an update!